Rescue launched for boat caught in Hurricane Julio

HONOLULU (AP) — A rescue effort is underway to reach three people aboard a sailboat that got caught in Hurricane Julio about 400 miles northeast of Oahu.

The Coast Guard says it's coordinating the rescue of the 42-foot sailboat Walkabout.

The sailors sent a message Sunday morning requesting help after the boat became disabled and took on water in rough seas. One of the hatches blew away and onboard pumps are unable to keep up with the flooding.

The vessel's life raft was also blown overboard.

Their distress call was sent to the International Emergency Response Coordination Center in Texas, which contacted the Coast Guard.

An aircraft was launched to deliver a life raft to the sailors, and a 661-foot container ship was diverted from its route to the location of the sailboat.